Noob question about changing leads

[iceknight]

Whenever I read about horses that do not change leads or change to the wrong lead, I wonder if this is a huge factor.. or if this is something that needs to be viewed from the angle of viewing tennis players who are right handed person vs left handed.

What I mean is... is there necessarily one "correct lead" or is it dependent on the horse?

For e.g. I watched (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spW6D1VB0hU) Arazi (1991 BC juvenile) and the comments/story is that he is on the 'wrong lead" (Durkin @1:20) in the stretch, but still wins easily.

I read about (http://www.drf.com/news/kentucky-derby-workouts-revolutionary-continues-impress) Revolutionary and also watch the video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v-XGQjVcNQ) , that the horse sometimes changes back to the "left lead". Does this happen at ~ 0:28

I am trying to figure out if this tendency for a horse to change or not change at the right time is a big factor...

Also, if anyone remembers any previous discussions or a book, please provide the link, thank you (my search shows up too many threads)!!

[PICSIX]

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66130&highlight=Lead+change

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1531&highlight=Lead+change

These 2 links should help.

Here is a study: http://www.equinews.com/article/race-horse-lead-preferences-studied

[Greyfox]

Most animals (including humans) on earth have right lateral dominance.
(Most, thought not all, readers here are right handed.)

For horses this means that when running in a straight line they will prefer to lead with the right front hoof.
But for balance, this is a disadvantage on turns when running counter clockwise (as in North America) and they have to learn to switch leads to the left front leg.

Of course in Europe, many races are ran clockwise.
So staying on the right lead is not a problem on turns.
However, the lead leg can tire in long runs and the animal that can switch to the alternate lead can sometimes find another gear for a short time.

Also in Europe, some races are ran counter clockwise too. For those the horses have to develop proficiency changing to the left lead for the turns.
Then again some trainers find out which directions their horses perform best in and book their runners for tracks that match the horse's preference.

[iceknight]

Thanks for both comments and links guys! I did find one of the threads meanwhile but that was the more recent one! thanks for the 86% winners thread!

[green80]

it usually indicates a problem when a horse does not change leads properly